NZ send ominous warning

Auckland - The All Blacks scored five tries for a convincing bonus point victory over World Cup nemesis France to give their skipper Richie McCaw a winning 100th Test on Saturday.

The All Blacks won 37-17, after leading 19-3 at halftime.

New Zealand gave the full house 60 800 Eden Park crowd what they wanted with a dominant display to justify their tournament favouritism and take charge with a five-point lead in Pool A with one game left in the group stage.

The All Blacks controlled all but the opening 10 minutes to part exorcise the demons of their surprising quarter-final exit to the French at the 2007 World Cup.

New Zealand, champing to deliver a Webb Ellis Cup to their rugby-obsessed homeland after 24 years of failure, made a powerful statement that they are the team to beat.

It was also a fitting reward for McCaw, the All Black described by coach Graham Henry as "an inspiration to New Zealanders."

The warrior openside flanker became the first All Black to play a century of Tests for his country.

Fullback Israel Dagg, who kept 98-Test Mils Muliaina out of the New Zealand lineup, was named man-of-the-match with a try double.

"We realised we had to take a step this week against the French. Obviously from history we knew this would be a good team," McCaw said.

"We had to absorb a fair bit early on, but I was proud of the way the boys did that, and then when we got our opportunity we put points on the board. In big Test matches that's what you've got to do."

French skipper Thierry Dusautoir said that France could learn a lot from the defeat.

"Unfortunately in the first half our skills weren't so good but we were better in the second half," he said

France have proved a World Cup nemesis for the All Blacks, dumping them out of the last World Cup and also winning their 1999 semi-final at Twickenham.

New Zealand, the world's top-ranked team since 2004, beat France to win the inaugural World Cup at Eden Park in 1987.

Les Bleus have now only won twice at the All Black citadel in nine encounters, the last coming 17 years ago and they now face a likely quarter-final against either Argentina or Scotland.

France began the stronger with new flyhalf Morgan Parra composed in attack and Les Bleus dominated the opening 10 minutes before the All Blacks scored from their first attack.

Centre Ma'a Nonu beat three tackles in a powerful run before number eight Adam Thomson scored from the next ruck after quick hands from Dan Carter.

The All Blacks were in again seven minutes later when Piri Weepu's clever inside ball put winger Cory Jane into the clear and he beat off a weak tackle from Maxime Medard to put his side 12-0 ahead.

Carter stepped through and sent Dagg racing over as the All Blacks took control with a 19-0 advantage after 21 minutes.

Sonny Bill Williams came on for hamstring-victim Jane before scrumhalf Dimitri Yachvili kicked France's first points with a penalty just before halftime.

The All Blacks stretched their lead to 26-3 a minute after the resumption with the lively Dagg getting his second try.

Williams put Carter into the clear and at the next ruck Dagg stepped past Lionel Nallet and Jean-Baptiste Poux to wrap up New Zealand's bonus point fourth try.

The French finally breached New Zealand's line but needed a 45m intercept try from centre Maxime Mermoz off Carter's wayward pass in the 54th minute with Yachvili converting for 29-10.

Carter kept the All Blacks three converted tries ahead with a drop goal 16 minutes from time.

France got a controversial second try through replacement Francois Trinh-Duc off a quick tap penalty, but the All Blacks hit back from the kickoff with Sonny Bill Williams scoring his team's fifth try in the corner.

Comments

AnimalFarm - 2011-09-24 12:32

Loads of rugga to come,BOKKE will be there to make them cry come semis.

peter the gr - 2011-09-24 12:38

Oh. . . you just keep on dreaming, my man!!

marco - 2011-09-24 12:41

France weren't physical enough for the full 80 minutes and that's how this games was lost.The French were physical only in the first 15 minutes of this games but lost the plot after that.To beat the All Blacks you've got get points on the board early and try and go infont to put them under pressure,but the French didn't do that.When the All Blacks went 19-0 up that was curtains for the French then.Marc Lievremont experimenting with flyhalf position tonight backfired bigtime,you can't experiment like that in Worldcups and anybody will tell him that.France is still in the competition and will now possibly face England in the quaterfinals.

Jones01 - 2011-09-24 12:45

Sorry, but I hear the Aussies is gonna play in the semi's.

NZdreamer - 2011-09-24 12:50

THAT'S OUR BOYS!!!!
Brilliant, brilliant game AB's!

Jackool - 2011-09-24 13:13

well, looks like it has been confirmed now, the boks are the only team that can beat the AB's. The AB's have great skill and a fair amount of power, but the Bokke have great Power and a fair amount of skill.

cocopops - 2011-09-24 13:19

What do you call 15 okes watching the RWC final?
THe All Blacks!!!!

watalife - 2011-09-24 13:27

@cocopops.. Sjoe you are really slim ne? bokkies will not make semis... Boks are kak....

Ruck'n Punt - 2011-09-24 13:27

@cocopops
What's the best thing that's come from SA?
All Black supporters

marco - 2011-09-24 13:33

@cocopops
You forgot to say "watching it on tv" that's the part of the joke that's missing.Here's another one:What do you call an All Black with a rugby worldcup winning medal?
GRANDPA.....

Bambie - 2011-09-24 16:32

Guys i'm a Bok supporter but i must say any team that want to win the RWC have to win NZ...and..and..What a HAKA...

Sharkie4ever - 2011-09-24 17:13

Really, ominous warning, France played their B side. If they France had started with some of their more experienced players the result could have been quite different!

Sharkie4ever - 2011-09-24 17:16

I would say that anyone that wants to win the WC, come get it from us the Boks!

RandomDude - 2011-09-24 20:25

Jackool, Oz can also win it . They're a bit hot and cold but when they're hot the can beat us and the ABs.

nzbro - 2011-09-24 12:33

Well...what can I say after that splendid exhibition of sheer brilliance marvelled by many,envied by more and denied by the wishful teams and their fans who only wish the mighty All Blacks bad luck.
I know you shall be dreading the RWC from this point onward because you know ...dont you...?
YOUR Apologies will now be accepted by all you AB doomsday haters of the mighty All Blacks...
I'll end my comment now to allow you some space for all your apologies.

Squareroot - 2011-09-24 12:35

Choke, Choke

Gomez - 2011-09-24 12:37

Ouch.....still hurting from 2007 I see....Hope you make it pass the quarters this time around....LOL...

ChumScrubber - 2011-09-24 12:38

Great team, not to take away from your win, I'm dissapointed the Frogs did not test you with their "A" team. To experiment against you guys proves they were not too worried about losing this one. But ja, you okes don't seem to have any weaknesses. You're definately not invincible though.

Andrew Griffiths - 2011-09-24 12:40

The World Cup isn't won in September. I see they don't make the All Blacks as tough as they used to. Clutch time is approaching and everything is being set-up for the biggest choke of all.

Jones01 - 2011-09-24 12:41

I am still trying to figure against what team the AB's play. isnt that the team that was suppose the beat the AB's. Sorry AB haters, but the Frenchies are always depended on luck and some scoring of funny tries luck the 2nd. Better luck next time.

watalife - 2011-09-24 12:41

@nzbro... This week all i read from some sloppy bokkie supporters is how far the Mighty All Black's will lose and choke.... shame they are all red faced now and certainly the poor wife will bear the brunt of the result..hehe... Not only did the Mighty All Black's thrash the lack luster hoendertjies they have broken there spirit... When Master Richie received his cap in Honour of his 100th Cap he still remained the true gentleman that he is. Now my fellow boertjies try and beat Samoa next week and then we can talk again. Bokkies still suck.... Go All Blacks....

Einie - 2011-09-24 12:42

They never choke in the pool games. Wait for knockouts. Haha.

burtfred - 2011-09-24 12:43

They haven't won the cup yet - they only beat the France B team, who happened to also score 2 tries against the "mighty" allblacks.
Underestimate a Springbok rugby team at your peril.

KUNZIE - 2011-09-24 12:51

Good win.But still a way to go.

StormBergBok - 2011-09-24 13:17

Ok, thanks for leaving space for my apology ; I am so sorry - I am so, very, very sorry, that the Land of the Long White Cloud, will become the Land of the Thick Green Cloud, that will hang over the nation, come mid October.

Magmansa - 2011-09-24 13:28

Yip sorry nzbro, sorry how we've been acting towards allblack fans. Now can u apologize for the treatment of our fans in nz? Spitting on cars with bokke flags on, ripping flags from cars, verbal abuse ect. And also the treatment of aussie fans has been disgusting too.

Karoobloed - 2011-09-24 17:04

Well done ABs. The vast majority of Bok supporters admire the mightiest foe of Bok Rugby. The real haters out there are the Bok haters - the idiots that belittle Saffas for supporting their own boys through thick and thin,

Sharkie4ever - 2011-09-24 17:20

@nzbro - the Green Machine is coming! You want the cup, come and get it then.

AA - 2011-09-24 19:56

Good win for the All Blacks and nice game to watch. The French were a sub par outfit to be honest. They did not seem fully committed and made very basic errors. They did expose some weaknesses for the other teams going to be facing the AB. It will be a very different game against the Bokke, Australia, England or Ireland. I would not get too comfortable just yet if i were an AB Supporter, but well done to them.
You AB supporters who come onto this site must be pretty nervous of the Boks hey. You always feel the need to justfy the AB position.You can try and hide you nervousness but trashing the Boks but we all know the truth.

OZNOB - 2011-09-24 21:14

you heard of the nz bra ? plenty of support but no cup

Jones01 - 2011-09-24 12:34

You go All Blacks, just take it one game at a time to the final. What this thing about the Frenchies always involve in type of try scoring. I mean the ref was talking to the captain. But what about the Sonny "Ball" Williams try. Did the French really think they are gonna get away with murder again. they got the funny try,but the All blacks was the better team. Waiting for the AB in the final.

ChumScrubber - 2011-09-24 12:34

AB's are certainly the complete unit - although this wasn't much of a contest. Got to admit, the French were less than impressive - very inconsistent performance, probably due to it being a sort of "B" team. They were lucky to be given their second try - reminds me of us against Ireland a few years ago. I wonder what the "A" team would have done, pity they didn't play - but I guess it's all about the teams long term plan to reach the final. Can't really measure the French after this game.

Kevin - 2011-09-24 12:34

Shot boys...that's how you dismantle 15 frogs!!

jacquesbasso - 2011-09-24 12:37

Why not hand over the cup to the AB and come home bokke!

Zion - 2011-09-24 12:38

Brilliant All Blacks: It looks like you have put the spectre that supposedly haunted you for four years, to rest. Keep up the good work. You make me proud.

Wormtongue - 2011-09-24 17:05

The ABs cannot possibly make you proud p@ephol - you are a Saffa.

Zion - 2011-09-24 19:36

No argument this round pal, funnily enough they did make me proud. your problem this time. adios amigo

Wormtongue - 2011-09-24 20:39

Would Swakopmund be on the North or South Island? Is Gemiston College in Auckland or Wellington ? We thought so.
We all admire the ABs. But what claim do you have to be triumphalistic about a team you have no blood or soil connection to? Feeling macho there in Gauteng as "your team" does well? Hello parasite.

marco - 2011-09-24 12:39

France weren't physical enough for the full 80 minutes and that's how this games was lost.The French were physical only in the first 15 minutes of this games but lost the plot after that.To beat the All Blacks you've got get points on the board early and try and go infont to put them under pressure,but the French didn't do that.When the All Blacks went 19-0 up that was curtains for the French then.Marc Lievremont experimenting with flyhalf position tonight backfired bigtime,you can't experiment like that in Worldcups and anybody will tell him that.France is still in the competition and will now possibly face England in the quaterfinals.

Razz-ma-Tazz - 2011-09-24 13:45

@ Marco You almost sounds like Naas on TV. On the other hand do I think you might qualify to replace him.

Kevin - 2011-09-24 12:40

The french were very lucky to score 17 points..the ABs could have had another 2-3 tries!!!!

Buffalo - 2011-09-24 12:41

I do not know whether this was a full strength French side or not . . . anybody? What is ominous is that, even after what appears to be a resurgence, the French still lost the second half 18 - 14!
On another note: hope that the resting of the Bok captain, for the most crucial match so far(sorry Wales) does not back-fire. Has Bismarck been practising his throw-ins and attending anger-management classes? Hope so . . .

ChumScrubber - 2011-09-24 12:46

Their flyhalf today apparently has hardly played in the position in his life? Seems they were not that focussed on winning this one - but the AB's are still an awesome team. We can beat them though, thats for certain.

theprodigy - 2011-09-24 12:41

And the special treatment for NZ continues, with repeated NZ players going aft their feet at rucks, McCaw entering from the side & lying all over the ball, tackling the player in the air (should have been yellow) & always getting away with it. All we ask if for consistency & the only thing refs are consistent in, when it comes to NZ, is giving them preferential treatment. It will be good to see them leave the WC empty handed, someone needs to knock them off their pedestal & if it is the Boks New Zealanders will not accept it, they will try everything to discredit the Boks. Paddy O Brien couldn't have hoped to give the AB's an easier WC line up, if they can't win this time, they never will. Oh & did you notice old Carter resorting to boring rugby, I didn't hear any booing, double standards, must be!

Ruck'n Punt - 2011-09-24 12:55

Great whing, more excuses YAY

Boktaunter - 2011-09-24 12:56

You sound like a very worried proteas fan??

Ruck'n Punt - 2011-09-24 13:43

@theprodigy....are you the fire starter?

Ruck'n Punt - 2011-09-24 12:46

For all the deluded idiots that mention that the French used their B team then you'll also notice that the AB's used their B team in the second half........the AB's bench rocks

ChumScrubber - 2011-09-24 12:50

Not deluded, merely a fact. To use an untested flyhalf - possibly the most crucial position in a game, and you believe the Frogs weren't fiddling a bit in this game? Reality dude - but the AB's were still excellent - so keep your knickers on girl ........

Good one Puck 'n Runt. Very original ..... pity my mom isn't around anymore, sure her ghost is laughing too. You believe in ghosts?

RandomDude - 2011-09-24 18:33

Chum, it's the trolls trusted fallback. Best to ignore it . It's only interested in annoying people.

nzbro - 2011-09-24 12:49

yes... still no apologies from that lot.. carry on boks...I can smell your fear from here...lol. time to bring out those stress pills for the rest of the rwc.... I'll go & have a good sleep now. chat later....sniff..lots of fear in the air..

Andrew Griffiths - 2011-09-24 12:58

The All Blacks flatter to deceive. France are to clever to win a game that doesn't count.

Magmansa - 2011-09-24 13:14

One thing the Boks will never do is fear. Even when we having a bad season and the the AB's are looking invincible, one thing we will NEVER do is fear, fear is not in our psyche!

call a spade - 2011-09-24 13:27

Hi NZBRO if you look at things realilisticallly the blacks won with 20 points over a french side who really did not want the game because they do not want to face the boks in the semis. After 15 minutes the blues took their feet of the juice pedal. I am not impressed by this win. I saw blacks teams looking way more threatening than this lot. We saffas took a lot of motivation out of this game. We are looking forward.

Fruit - 2011-09-24 13:27

Is it yet again a case of the AB's playing all their cards in the group games and later on being found wanted in the knock-outs? Perhaps or perhaps not. They surely did show some proper moments today. But rest assured that the only fear you smell in the air is the fear in your own backyard. Here in saffa land I only smell spring.
Also I'm pretty sure whoever wins between RSA and OZ in the quarters, will go on to upset NZ.

Wormtongue - 2011-09-24 20:51

NZbro, if you are a Saffa, as we suspect, you are just a little opportunistic parasite feeding on another nation's national team victories.
If you are a real New Zealnder, as we doubt, only insecurity and lack of class would drive you to mock Saafa Rugby supporters on a Saffa website.

Zion - 2011-09-25 06:35

I see a worm has entered the scene. This insidious worm has taken it upon himself to decide who is who and pass judgment accordingly and subsequently sees it as his purpose in life to vote whose loyalty lies where. Fortunately he is just too small and close to the ground to provoke an argument.

Johann - 2011-09-24 12:55

I heard of this French team that was like a "B" side, don't know their players well, but this I think was true: the backs did not have real penetrating ability as we know them in the past. So the AB's had it a bit easier. All I say is GOOO BOKKE!!!

HowardX - 2011-09-24 12:56

You may laugh at this, however, I strongly believe that headlines like this are part of Naspers' and others sinister subconscious psyops campaign. If you read this headline out of the context of rugby, you will understand my meaning. Add to this the definite racial bias of many articles driven by Naspers and you have to wonder. One example is that very frequently when there is a crime story they often use a graphic of white hands in handcuffs, however, when you read the article in detail it becomes clear that the perpetrator was not white. So take this with a pinch of salt, and quite possibly laugh it off as conspiratorial raving, however, at least you may be more aware of what is going on in future, and hopefully that awareness will lead you to open your eyes.

ChumScrubber - 2011-09-24 13:02

?? and you have any opinions on the game ??

Kyle - 2011-09-24 13:01

Where's JK.... his prediction of the french beating tha all blacks didnt quite come to fruition.... wonder how much he know bout rugby afterall.... Well played All blacks, the team to beat! hopefully the bokke will overcome them should we reach the semi's.

Magmansa - 2011-09-24 13:09

I think he means France to win the wc final by 8

Kyle - 2011-09-24 13:13

oh ok, maybe i understood it wrong...still cant see that happening though, apologies then JK

julian.j.elliott - 2011-09-24 13:04

To be considered great you need to beat the best, all you ever hear from AB supporters are how useless the other teams are and how nobody can challenge the All Blacks, if thats the case in my book it does not say much for them this they playing a bunch of useless teams anyway, just a thought?

Ruck'n Punt - 2011-09-24 13:23

actually julian it's the Bok fans that that continually say how the Boks are the best since beat Namibia and Fiji and were extremely lucky against Wales and the continual wooden spooners from the TN and habitual losers of the S15. Does reality suck for you julian

ChumScrubber - 2011-09-24 15:44

"habitual losers of the S15". Really ?

StormBergBok - 2011-09-24 13:09

Huh? Ominous warning? Which game were you watching? That was nothing more than an unapposed practise, and the Silver Ferns will be rueing their inclusion in a 'nothing' pool, knowing that they will enter the quarters with no game time behind them. Bad move, bad move...

Rossman - 2011-09-24 13:20

The World Cup isn't won in the Pool phases. Well done to the All Blacks. Everybody kind of knew this was going to happen. It will take a pretty remarkable team to beat NZ on their home turf. Congrats to Richie as well for reaching the century. Pitty Mills couldn't make it today. I feel he deserved to be the first one more than Richie. But that's just me.

marco - 2011-09-24 13:23

That second French try was a bit dubious to say the least,Allan Roland was still giving orders to Tony Woodcock and Richie McCaw when Dimitri Yachvili took a quick tap and bang François Trinh-Duc scores.
The other wierd thing Lievremont did today was playing Dimitri Szarzewski at hooker instead of William Servat,much like when PDV insist on playing out of sorts John Smit instead of inform Bismarck du Plessis.It just don't work.Servat was breaking the gain line much more so that Szarzewski did.

Conrad Pieterse - 2011-09-24 13:26

Well done AB!
You are looking good this time.
I still believe the Boks are going to pull it through for us.
Moer hulle Bokke!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqjzAd7gwtQ

watalife - 2011-09-24 13:42

Ja ja ja.... take a pill and chill mate....

MJ - 2011-09-24 14:16

Most dominant display at the RWC so far. Someone had to stand up to the NH after Wales and Ireland smashed SA/AUS - with Wales fluking the loss. I'm sorry, but the Bokke beating teams ranked 14th and 19th don't count as real games. I look forward to the Aus/SA quarter final for the next proper game.

Uthikoloshe - 2011-09-24 19:30

Wales and their forward pass :)

Mao Tse Tung - 2011-09-24 14:39

As a proud Bokke supporter I hate to say I still fear the worst. Our best perfomances have been against Fiji and Namibia and those are not anything to measure our strength yet. The all ABs once again proved that if you put pressure on them and let them absorb it, they will punish you when the roles are reversed. They will play either Scotland /Argentina in quarters whereas we must wrestle the Aussies and after our two showings against them this year, I'm a bit concerned but hopeful.

StoneAngel - 2011-09-24 14:50

Me thinks I have seen yet ANOTHER Sonny Bill Wilams forward offload/pass! Anyone else see the same? Difficult angle but looking carefully I think it was forward.

Ruck'n Punt - 2011-09-24 15:09

Did you also see the Boks 4 tries against Nam were the results from blatant forward passes as well as the first try against Wales, did you see them or have you conveniently chosen erase them from your fragile memory?

RandomDude - 2011-09-24 19:36

@StoneAngel , Relative velocity can make it appear that a pass is fwd when it's not . You have to look at the passing action of the player . Often times fans will think a pass is fwd when a player passed the ball on the run and then gets tackled immediately after releasing the ball. The player comes to a halt but the ball keeps traveling fwd at the speed* the player had when he released the ball. So, relative to the player that stopped moving, the ball is traveling fwd even though the pass was flat / slightly backward . The effect is most dramatic when the player stops but it can also appear slightly fwd if the player slows down after passing the ball.
* it slows down while traveling through the air but you get the picture.

Kevin - 2011-09-24 17:20

AB coped well against a French B team. Clever French to throw the game to miss playing the Southern Hemisphere teams in the quarters.

Dr Phil - 2011-09-24 18:02

The AB's will probably start using the same team from now on depending on injuries and using the bench when and if needed.
Ted has used his bench wisely so far without letting too much out of the bag once they have secured the win in the first half with a bonus point.

vanessa.august - 2011-09-24 19:16

@NZdreamer:
Dream on bro

Marianne Johnpillai - 2011-09-24 19:26

I am a Kiwi living in Sri Lanka.. and watched this game, screaming myself hoarse with no one around to hear me! Am I proud of how the All Blacks played today! God defend NZ!

nzbro - 2011-09-25 00:23

@Marianne Johnpillai -
Good on ya ! we heard you..it aint over yet, there is more to come. I reckon there are some fans & teams checking their return tickets are still good to go home. I'll not mention who cause we have sensitive "ears "on this site , but you know who I mean aye..?

Wormtongue - 2011-09-25 02:34

Jeez a Kiwi, living in Sri Lanka, lost on a Saffa website - shall we send you a GPS for Xmas? And our beloved little nzbro.
Try the NZ Herald you plonkers.

John - 2011-09-25 04:09

great story , y dont you tell it on a nz or sri lankan website?

John - 2011-09-25 04:13

just thinking NZ so sh**, that you have to move to sri lanka?
or are you embarrest to be a NZ rugby supporter?
i would if my team was the favourite each wc and only won once , and that was still during amatuer era and SA was not even playing.

burtfred - 2011-09-25 11:56

How can God defend New Zealand when they play against South Africa?
When He hears Nkosi Sikelel iAfrika before the game, He is sure to support the Boks.

FM150 - 2011-09-24 21:10

The AB always seem to stray of ther structure after a try or two?! Why do you always do that? Its your downfall in every world cup. The reason you get the gaps in the first place is 15 guys playing toghether as a unit to create one. And then every man thinks he can score alone BOOM, we you aur out of the world cup. Idiots

Nick - 2011-09-24 21:45

O please, NZ are fantastic when there is no pressure like in the group stages. Wait till the knock out phase starts, then the incredible machine will become a pile of junk!

nzbro - 2011-09-25 00:11

Ok. chaps what a beautiful morning here in nz...now that we've sorted out the frogs, next is oz or sa/samoa.Samoa will go all or nothing in their approach & be extremely physical.Im inclined to think oz will beat whom ever they face in the quarters if they sort out their injuries of key players.
Boks looked good playing the very low ranked minnows,with the exception of wales of course who could have beaten them were it not for poor kicking.Here on forward we will see the the true mettle of the rest still in the running.I know the boks and oz are not so confident anymore.There is a BLACK wave approaching & it aint going away.
This current rwc AB team is by far superior to the tri nations team of a few weeks ago so its no surpise to see our old foes quivering with fear after this exhibition of sheer brilliance.The poise, the clinical execution,the penetration of defenses and our own defense is the part of our game all you boks supporters wish your team had consistantly, but regretfully you dont.And you KNOW IT hence your fervent PRAYERS that the mighty AB's lose this match against the french.Just so you dont have to face us again aye ?The wonderful thing about the past is that this AB team have learnt from it and this is the result. & Its only the beginning.So you worried boks can say whatever you want, I smile with quiet confidence and amuse myself while you squirm with obvious discomfort from this point forward.There is a BLACK wave approaching and it aint going away!

RandomDude - 2011-09-25 03:48

They looked good but it's not over till the fat lady sings . Here's the thing , we had many key players that hardly played Rugby since the 2010 season & the SBs haven't been playing anywhere near their best ( last time I really saw them on top of their game was Jun 2010 when they beat the French 41-17) . Oz prob played as good as they're going to play in the final TN game . The ABs prob aren't far off their best either (they're very consistent) .

Magmansa - 2011-09-25 03:49

A wave comes crashing down with the same intensity as it rises!

John - 2011-09-25 04:05

wow.
alot of words, it seems you are trying to convince yourself.
so if you know that there is 99.99% chance of nz choking.

julian.j.elliott - 2011-09-25 00:26

@ Ruck n Punt- the AB`s are a great side and should be considered favorites to win the world cup, what gets me is the constant dissmissal of all the other contenders, I mean its not like the Springboks have not beat them recently or even AUS for that matter, but i suppose you have reasons for those losses, the fact is on any given day the Bokke can beat the All Blacks people talk like its impossiable, I dont buy it, Springbokke supporters dont take the AB`s for granted we know we up against when we play U, the reverse is not true

SPRINGROO - 2011-09-25 03:11

In any other part of play (scrums, rucks, mauls or line-outs), players are offside if they are in front of the off-side line. This is an imaginary line parallel to the goals which runs through the hindmost foot of the hindmost player in the ruck/maul/scrum (but also see the Experimental law variations). Any players joining a ruck/maul or scrum from in front of the off-side line are offside and their team will be penalised. Could some one let the all blacks in on this

nzbro - 2011-09-25 07:28

...seems like lots of people around the world noticed how awesome the All Blacks are:I will leave this tidbit for you lot to digest and squirm some more. [A black wave is approaching...]
World's rugby media reacts: 'Hail the new world champions'
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby-world-cup-2011/news/article.cfm?c_id=522&objectid=10754237
quote"
"Sleeping easy England, Scotland and Argentina?
"Trust not - and you shouldn't be after that powerhouse performance by the All Blacks at Eden Park. One of you will be facing New Zealand on Oct 9, so have a bungy jump or throw a dwarf while you can."
quote:
["I've watched all the big teams in this competition and nothing comes close to the levels New Zealand reached in the first half. Is this World Cup done and dusted? Leaving Eden Park, it felt like it."]